How far is Minneapolis, MN from Atwater, MN?
The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Atwater, MN is about 80.1 miles (128.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 74.7 miles (120.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Wright County, Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Minneapolis and Atwater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis and Atwater.
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1
Start on Washington Avenue South
1977 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue South
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2
Turn left onto North 1st Avenue
130 m · 18 sec · North 1st Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
127 m · 16 sec · North 3rd Street
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4
Turn straight
9.4 mi · 12 min
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5
Keep slight left
12.3 mi · 16 min
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Boulevard;County Road 90
41 m · 2 sec · Babcock Boulevard
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7
Exit the rotary onto Babcock Boulevard
2 mi · 3 min · Babcock Boulevard
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Babcock Boulevard
4.1 mi · 6 min · Babcock Boulevard
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9
Continue on US 12
3.6 mi · 5 min · US 12
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10
Continue on 60th Street Southeast
1234 ft · 19 sec · 60th Street Southeast
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11
Continue on US 12
1 km · 51 sec · US 12
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12
Turn slight right onto 60th Street Southeast
2418 ft · 39 sec · 60th Street Southeast
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13
Merge slight left onto US 12
1.3 mi · 2 min · US 12
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14
Continue on Nelson Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Nelson Boulevard
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15
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12
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16
Continue on Pacific Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Pacific Avenue
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17
Continue on US 12
4.1 mi · 6 min · US 12
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18
Continue on 6th Street
1.5 km · 2 min · 6th Street
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19
Continue on 60th Street Southwest
3.5 mi · 5 min · 60th Street Southwest
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20
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12
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21
Continue on Cokato Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · Cokato Street
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22
Continue on 50th Street Southwest
2.7 mi · 3 min · 50th Street Southwest
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23
Continue on US 12
2 mi · 2 min · US 12
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24
Continue on Parker Avenue East
11.8 mi · 13 min · Parker Avenue East
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25
Turn right onto North Sibley Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · North Sibley Avenue
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26
Continue on US Highway 12
12.8 mi · 17 min · US Highway 12
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27
Turn left onto Main Street North
44 m · 6 sec · Main Street North
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28
Turn right onto Minnesota Avenue
47 m · 9 sec · Minnesota Avenue
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29
Turn right
41 m · 10 sec
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Minneapolis and Atwater.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
US Highway 12
Continue on US Highway 12
12.8 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Patchy Fog leaving Minneapolis and Chance Rain Showers near Atwater.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Atwater?
The road trip is about 80.1 miles (128.9 km) and usually takes 01h 48m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Waverly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40 miles from Minneapolis and 40.1 miles from Atwater.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 74.7 miles (120.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.06 one way or $20.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Minneapolis and Chance Rain Showers near Atwater.
Stop Ideas Near Waverly
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Waverly.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Atwater. Straight-line distance: 74.71 mi (120.24 km).
#1 Minneapolis
The largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is a major center for business, finance, and culture.
| Population | 433,111 |
| Coordinates | 44.9799700, -93.2638400 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Atwater
Human settlement in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, United States of America
| Population | 1,113 |
| Coordinates | 45.1388500, -94.7780600 |
| Altitude | 372 |
| Country | United States |
End: Atwater (-94.77806, 45.13885)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 129 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $10.06 | $20.13 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $11.06 | $22.11 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $12.39 | $24.77 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $13.72 | $27.43 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Minnesota · Apr 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.